Concert For Bangladesh Tweet Concert For Bangladesh On this day 1st August 1971, the Concert For Bangladesh, organized by George Harrison to aid victims of famine and war in Bangladesh, took place at New York's Madison Square Garden. The two concerts, one afternoon and one evening, played to over 40,000 people and featured the all-star cast of Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Eric Clapton, Ravi Shankar, Klaus Voorman, and Badfinger. Harrison was well ahead of his time, organizing a large scale charity event with the aid of his musician mates, almost 15 years prior to Live Aid. His original plan was to recruit his former bandmates, which would’ve turned this into a Beatles reunion, seeing the four on stage together in the U.S for the first time since 1966. But that was never going to happen. John Lennon agreed to take part in the concert, however Harrison stipulated that Lennon's wife Yoko could not perform with him. Lennon agreed, but left New York two days before the event following an argument with Ono regarding his and Harrison's agreement, so that was the end of that.

Paul McCartney declined because of bad feelings caused by The Beatles' legal problems on their breakup. McCartney told Rolling Stone years later, "George came up and asked if I wanted to play Bangladesh and I thought, blimey, what's the point? We're just broken up and we're joining up again? It just seemed a bit crazy". Ringo Starr did, however, appear. At the press launch for the event, the former Beatle was asked by a reporter, “Why Bangladesh?” Harrison replied, "Because I was asked by a friend if I would help, you know, that's all”. His friend was Indian musician Ravi Shankar (who surprised us all a few years back when we discovered he was the father of the very talented Norah Jones). After Shankar had opened the proceedings, Harrison took to the stage with his guests - Eric Clapton on guitar, Ringo on drums, Leon Russell on keyboards, and the guys from Badfinger on guitars and vocals (Badfinger's Peter Ham did a duet with Harrison on "Here Comes the Sun"). After pleasing the crowd with a selection of his hits, including a few Beatles songs, Harrison casually announced his next guest.

"I'd like to bring on a friend of us all, Mr Bob Dylan”. This was a reclusive time for Dylan - and the first proper live show since his Isle of Wight appearance in '69. Dylan didn’t disappoint, performing "Blowin' In The Wind", "Mr. Tambourine Man", and "Just Like A Woman" backed by Harrison and his all-star band. Harrison had to shell out his own money to maintain the fund after legal problems froze all proceeds. The triple album release (the second in a row by Harrison) hit #1 in the UK and #2 in the U.S. and received the Grammy award for Album of the Year. The concert raised $243,418.50, which was given to UNICEF to administer. However, there were complaints about the high price of the album and allegations that there were delays in money from the album sales being sent to help the Bangladeshi refugees. Allen Klein, then an executive at Apple Corps, insisted the company made no money from the album or film and was only recovering its advertising and production costs.

The Los Angeles Times reported that by 1985 nearly $12 million had been sent to Bangladesh for relief. However, the money was tied up in an Internal Revenue Service escrow account for 11 years because the concert organizers had not applied for tax-exempt status. Sales of the DVDs and CDs of the concert continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF. It was the crowning event of Harrison’s public life, a gesture of great goodwill that captured the moment in history. I read that after the concerts Harrison and Dylan headed back up to Woodstock to Bob's house, where the two hung out for a few days. Wouldn’t you have just loved to share that journey with them? I bet George and Bob were pretty damn pleased with themselves. More on George Harrison Share © UNICEF video UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, Olivia Harrison and Jay Marciano, President of Madison Square Park Entertainment, with the George Harrison 'Walk of Fame' plaque.

By Rachel Bonham Carter NEW YORK, USA, 1 August 2006 – Thirty-five years after George Harrison’s ‘Concert for Bangladesh’ raised over $15 million for UNICEF, the late Beatle has been inducted into the Madison Square Garden ‘Walk of Fame’. The concert was the first of its kind and is recognized as the inspiration behind more recent humanitarian fundraising ventures like ‘Band Aid’ and ‘Live Aid’. “George Harrison was a pioneer who understood the power of rock music to move people to embrace causes larger than themselves,” said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman on the 35th anniversary of the concert. She was speaking at the presentation of a plaque which commemorates the event where it happened, at Madison Square Garden. In 1971, the venue played host to an unprecedented group of musicians, pulled together by Harrison, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Ringo Starr. © UNICEF video A plaque commemorating George Harrison and the Concert for Bangladesh for the Madison Square Garden 'Walk of Fame' was presented to Olivia Harrison.

In response to a call from Bengali musician Ravi Shankar, they helped raise the profile of the plight of children caught in political and military turmoil in Bangladesh, a crisis which worsened when devastating floods hit the region. Last autumn, Olivia Harrison, who received the plaque today, opened a fund in her late husband’s name with an initial donation of $1 million. The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF specifically targets UNICEF programs in Bangladesh but also provides lifesaving assistance to children suffering from civil conflict, natural disasters and poverty elsewhere. Speaking at Madison Square Garden at midday, Ms. Harrison said: “When people walk through this Walk of Fame and they come to the plaque for the ‘Concert for Bangladesh’, I hope they’re reminded how fortunate we are to be on the giving end of aid and not the receiving end of charity. And I think that one thought is motivation enough for us to continue to help others.” The launch of the fund coincided with the release of a DVD and CD of the ‘Concert for Bangladesh’. Already more than 3 million copies have been sold and all artists’ royalties from the DVD and CD continue to go to UNICEF.

“To date the US Fund and the George Harrison family have generated more than $1 million for children in need through sales of the CD and DVD,” said Jay Aldous, Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Corporate Partnership for the US Fund for UNICEF. “I look forward to collaborating in the future to generate even more funding for UNICEF programmes around the world.” The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos] « WCBS-FM 101.1 Latest Photos Sponsored By The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshFormer Beatle George Harrison, left, is shown at a press conference at the Abkco Industries offices in New York, July 27, 197,1 where he announced a benefit concert for the Bangladesh refugees. He speaks with Indian sitar player Ravi Shakar. The concert, Harrison's first in four years, is scheduled for August 1 at Madison Square Garden. Seats for both performances were sold out. (AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler) The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshGeorge Harrison, left, and Bob Dylan look at each other as they perform during a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Aug. 1, 1971.

The proceeds from the concert will aid refugees of East Pakistan. (AP Photo)AP Photo The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshFormer Beatle George Harrison thanks a crowd of over 20,000 for attending a benefit concert for East Pakistani refugees at Madison Square Gardens, New York, Aug. 1, 1971. (AP Photo) The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshBob Dylan, left, Leon Russell, back to camera, and George Harrison perform together at a benefit concert for refugees of East Pakistan at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Aug. 1, 1971. (AP Photo) The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshBob Dylan is seen performing at a benefit concert for Bangladesh refugees at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Aug. 1, 1971. Former Beatle George Harrison is playing the guitar behind Dylan. Leon Russell is on the right. (AP Photo) The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshFormer Beatle George Harrison, left, performs at a benefit concert for East Pakistani refugees at Madison Square Gardens, New York, Aug. 1, 1971.

From left to right; Harrison, Klaus Voorman, Jim Horn and Eric Clapton. (AP Photo) The Concert for Bangladesh [Photos]The Concert for BangladeshMusician Ravi Shankar performs an Indian raga on the sitar at the Concert For Bangladesh benefit at Madison Square Garden in New York, Aug. 1, 1971. (AP Photo/Jim Wells) 1 August 1971: Live: The Concert For Bangla Desh | The Beatles Bible That keeps going astray on its way to Bombay And the smog that keeps polluting up our shores Is boring me to tears Why don't you call me, Miss O'Dell? Harrison returned to England to produce Badfinger's album Straight Up, and performed on John Lennon 's Imagine . All the while Shankar - who remained perplexed by the Western world's indifference to the unfolding humanitarian crisis - kept Harrison informed through newspaper and magazine cuttings. Shankar hoped to stage a benefit concert with proceeds going to relief agencies. However, he knew little of the logistics of arranging such an event, so turned to Harrison for help.

Harrison abandoned work on the Badfinger album and flew to New York, where he spent several weeks on the telephone organising what became the Concert For Bangla Desh. First of all, I didn't know anything about it until Ravi Shankar told me about it and he said he was intending to do something, which would have made a bit more morey than what he could normally make. He was talking about making something like $25,000 and then he started giving me all these articles showing what was going on there, until I got sucked right into it. He asked me whether I could think of ideas to help make a concert. We started thinking about the concert in July. Then I thought, 'Well, maybe I should go on. That'll ad a bit more weight,' and then the idea snowballed. Every time I thought about it, my heart started pounding and I started to think, 'Well maybe I can con a few superstar people into coming on and doing it. George Harrison Harrison was doubtful that Shankar's initial plans were sufficient to raise the necessary awareness and aid. Having learnt from Lennon to think bold, he rallied a number of musicians he hoped would perform at the concert.

The project began in earnest during the last week of June, with the only available dates for Madison Square Gardens being the weekend of 31 July and 1 August. A single by Harrison, Bangla Desh, was recorded in Los Angeles in early July 1971, and released at the end of the month just before the Madison Square Garden shows. It became the first ever rock 'n' roll charity single. Harrison's first contacts for the show were the three other former Beatles. Paul McCartney was unwilling to participate while the group's ongoing litigation was unresolved. The involvement of Apple's business manager Allen Klein also influenced his decision, telling Melody Maker's Chris Charlesworth: You know I was asked to play at George's concert in New York for Bangladesh and I didn't. Klein called a press conference and told everyone I had refused to do so for the Pakistani refugees - that's what he called them. It wasn't so. I said to George the reason I couldn't do it was because it would mean that all the world's press would scream that The Beatles had got back together again, and I know that it would have made Klein very happy. It would have been an historical event and Klein would have taken the credit.

I didn't really fancy it anyway. If it wasn't for Klein I might have had second thoughts about it, but I don't know really. Paul McCartney Melody Maker, 1971 Ringo Starr, too, proved initially reluctant to commit, although he eventually left Spain, where he was acting in the film Blindman, to perform. In the meantime, Harrison also enlisted session drummer Jim Keltner. Buy CD - Harrison,George : Concert For Bangladesh Concert For Bangladesh In Stock, usually ships within 2-3 business days Notes / Reviews The Concert For Bangladesh was the event title for two benefit concerts organized by George Harrison and Ravi Shankar, held at noon and at 7:00 p.m. on August 1, 1971, playing to a total of 40,000 people at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Organized for the relief of refugees from East Pakistan (now independent Bangladesh) after the 1970 Bhola cyclone and during the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities and Bangladesh Liberation War, the event was the first benefit concert of this magnitude in world history.

It featured an all-star supergroup of performers that included Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Badfinger, and Ringo Starr. An album was released later in 1971 and a concert film was released in 1972, with later releases for home video. In 2005, the film was re-issued on DVD accompanied by a new documentary. The concert raised US$243,418.51 for Bangladesh relief, which was administered by UNICEF. Sales of the album and DVD continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF. Background As East Pakistan struggled to become the separate state of Bangladesh during the Bangladesh Liberation War, the tremendous political and military turmoil and the 1971 Bangladesh atrocities led to a massive refugee problem in India. This problem was compounded by the 1970 Bhola cyclone, bringing torrential rains causing devastating floods and threatening a humanitarian disaster. Bengali musician Ravi Shankar consulted his friend George Harrison regarding a means of providing help to the situation.

Harrison recorded the single "Bangla Desh" to raise awareness and pushed Apple Records to release Shankar's single "Joi Bangla" in a dual-pronged effort to raise funds. Shankar also asked Harrison's advice regarding a small fund-raising concert in the United States. Harrison took the idea and started calling his friends, persuading them to join him in a large concert at Madison Square Garden. The event was organised within five weeks. Harrison first asked his fellow Beatles to appear. John Lennon agreed to take part in the concert, however Harrison stipulated that Lennon's wife Yoko Ono not perform with him. Lennon agreed, but left New York two days before the event following an argument with Ono regarding his and Harrison's agreement that she not participate.http Paul McCartney declined because of the bad feelings caused by The Beatles' legal problems on their break-up. "George came up and asked if I wanted to play Bangla Desh and I thought, blimey, what's the point? We're just broken up and we're joining up again? It just seemed a bit crazy," McCartney told Rolling Stone years later.http Ringo Starr, however, appeared.

Concert programme Ravi Shankar and the sarodist Ali Akbar Khan opened the concert with recital of Indian music consisting of the dhun, "Bangla Dhun". Except for back-up roles in support of both the Delaney & Bonnie Blues Band and John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band, it was the first live appearance for George Harrison since the breakup of The Beatles. Eric Clapton made his first public appearance since the end of the five-month Derek and the Dominos tour the previous December. Clapton was still in the grip of a heroin addiction, and had been unable to attend any rehearsals until the final soundcheck. This was the first live performance of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" and may have been the first time the general public was made aware that it was Clapton who played the solo on The Beatles' recording. Musical help was also on hand from Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voormann, Jim Keltner, Badfinger, a large horn section put together by Jim Horn and other musicians, including Carl Radle, Jesse Ed Davis, Don Preston and a host of backing singers organized by Don Nix.

Bob Dylan made his first stage appearance since the Isle of Wight Festival in August 1969. Apart from sitting in for a few numbers with The Band on New Year 1972 and an unannounced appearance backing John Prine on harmonica at a Greenwich Village club, he did not play live again until January 1974. The songs played and their sequence differ slightly between the afternoon and evening show. Afternoon show *"That's The Way God Planned It" *"It Don't Come Easy" *"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" *"Jumpin' Jack Flash" *"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall" *"Blowin' In The Wind" *"It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" *"Love Minus Zero/No Limit" *"That's The Way God Planned It" *"It Don't Come Easy" *"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" *"Jumpin' Jack Flash" *"It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" *"Blowin' In The Wind" *"Bangla Desh" The film Both the afternoon and evening shows were filmed and recorded for an album, with Phil Spector overseeing the sound recording.

The film, released in 1972, combined images from both shows with George Harrison's preference of the performances of the songs. Harrison later complained that half the camera operators appeared to have been indulging in illegal substances, which left the focus of some shots rather soft. The opening of the film features footage from a press conference to announce the concert with Harrison and Shankar. Harrison is asked by a reporter: "With all the enormous problems in the world, how did you happen to choose this one to do something about?" "Because I was asked by a friend if I would help, you know, that's all," was Harrison's reply. The scene then shifts to outside Madison Square Garden, and news coverage by WABC-TV reporter Geraldo Rivera, who interviews fans who have camped out for tickets to the shows. The concert begins with a performance by Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. Harrison introduces the set and both he and Shankar attempt to convey the intricacies of Indian classical music to the audience. Shankar additionally asked the audience not to smoke during the performance. Shankar and Khan then proceed to tune their instruments and then stop after about 90 seconds.

The audience, apparently believing they had heard an entire piece, respond with enthusiastic applause, to which Shankar replies: "Thank you, if you appreciate the tuning so much, I hope you will enjoy the playing more." They then launch into a 17-minute rÄga. After an interlude of footage from backstage, showing Spector, Harrison and other performers making their way to the stage, Harrison starts off the rock portion with a string of songs from his hit album, All Things Must Pass. He is backed by a large band, including two drummers, Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner matching strokes, pianist Leon Russell, organist Billy Preston, two lead guitarists, Eric Clapton and Jesse Ed Davis, Badfinger on rhythm guitars, a horn section and a small choir of backing vocalists, many of whom are also playing tambourines. He then turns the concert over to his friends. Towards the end of Billy Preston's song, "That's the Way God Planned It", Preston gets up from his bench and dances across the stage and back again. This footage is taken during the evening performance.

Starr sings his hit song "It Don't Come Easy" and appears flustered as he forgets some of the words. Russell offers a rock and roll medley and Harrison performs some of the hits he wrote with The Beatles. Bob Dylan appears for a semi-acoustic set of his songs, and the film is capped off with two more songs, closing with Harrison's song, "Bangla Desh".

Performers *Ravi Shankar, sitar and Ali Akbar Khan, sarod **Backed by Alla Rakha, tabla, and Kamala Chakravarty, Tanpura *George Harrison â Vocals, guitars *Ringo Starr â Vocals, Drums, tambourine *Leon Russell â Vocals, piano, bass guitar *Billy Preston â Vocals, organ *Eric Clapton â Lead guitar *Bob Dylan â Vocals, guitar, harmonica *Klaus Voorman - Bass guitar *Badfinger â Rhythm guitars, backing vocals **Pete Ham, Tom Evans, Joey Molland and Mike Gibbins (percussion) *Jesse Ed Davis â Lead guitar *Don Preston â Lead guitar, vocals *Carl Radle â Bass guitar *The Hollywood Horns: Jim Horn, Allan Beutler, Chuck Findley, Jackie Kelso, Lou McCreary, Ollie Mitchell *Backing vocalists: Don Nix, Jo Green, Jeanie Greene, Marlin Greene, Dolores Hall, Claudia Linnear Performances in the film All songs composed and performed by George Harrison, unless otherwise noted

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Ravi Shankar *"Bangla Dhun" â traditional raga, performed by Ravi Shankar, sitar; Ali Akbar Khan, sarod; Alla Rakha, tabla; Kamala Chakravarty, tamboura George Harrison and band *"That's The Way God Planned It" â Composed and performed by Billy Preston *"It Don't Come Easy" â Composed and performed by Ringo Starr *"Beware of Darkness" â Featuring Leon Russell on guest vocals *"While My Guitar Gently Weeps" â Featuring Eric Clapton on lead guitar *"Jumpin' Jack Flash"/"Young Blood" â Composed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards/Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Doc Pomus; performed by Leon Russell, with additional vocals by George Harrison and Don Preston on "Youngblood" *"Here Comes the Sun" â Featuring Pete Ham Bob Dylan All songs written and performed by Bob Dylan, with George Harrison on Fender Stratocaster, Leon Russell on Klaus Voormann's custom-painted Fender Precision Bass and Ringo Starr on tambourine.

*"A Hard Rain's a-Gonna Fall" *"It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" *"Blowin' in the Wind" Songs composed and performed by George Harrison and band. *"Something" *"Bangla Desh" Songs not in film *"Mr. Tambourine Man" â written and performed by Bob Dylan; from the concert and included only on the album, The Concert for Bangla Desh. *"Love Minus Zero/No Limit" â written and performed by Bob Dylan; recorded in the afternoon show and included as an extra in the 2005 DVD. *"If Not for You" â written and performed by Bob Dylan with George Harrison on harmony vocals and steel-string acoustic guitar with Klaus Voormann on electric bass; for a soundcheck and included as an extra on the 2005 DVD.

*"Come on in My Kitchen" â composed by Robert Johnson and performed by Leon Russell, vocals and piano; George Harrison on backing vocals and lead guitar; Billy Preston on organ, Ringo Starr and Jim Keltner on drums and Eric Clapton, rhythm guitar; performed during a sound check and included as an extra in the 2005 DVD. 2005 DVD issue A two-disc special edition DVD of The Concert for Bangladesh was issued in 2005, with the concert on disc one and a 2005 documentary, The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited with George Harrison and Friends, on the second disc. Performers interviewed for the documentary include Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Jim Keltner, Jim Horn, Leon Russell and Klaus Voormann, who offer their recollections of the concert. George Harrison talks about organizing the concert in voiceovers only. Other interviews are with Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner and Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof, who talk of the historic importance of the event, as well as Apple Corps executive Neil Aspinall.

The documentary reveals how quickly the concert came together, with Harrison working the phone during June and July 1971 to ask his friends to join the show. Madison Square Garden was booked for August 1 because it was the only open date available. Musicians began gathering in New York about a week beforehand for rehearsals. Notably absent from the preparations was Clapton, who was in the grips of heroin addiction. Harrison says in the documentary that Clapton was booked on every airline flight from London to New York City for a week before the show. With Clapton still absent (according to his recently released autobiography, due to a cold turkey provoked by bad quality heroin that Harrison provided him as a condition for playing the concert), lead guitarists started "hanging around", hoping to be asked to join. Harrison tapped Jesse Ed Davis, who had played in Taj Mahal's band, and bassist Klaus Voormann volunteered to work with Davis in rehearsals. Another musician, Don Preston from Leon Russell's band, joined on lead guitar as well. Organizers then Telexed Clapton, telling him he did not have to come, but Clapton insisted he would play and finally showed up a day before the concert.

He performed without benefit of rehearsal, and "he was brilliant," Harrison said. Clapton, for his part, recalls the time as a period of "retirement" and that "I really made it hard for myself" in the concert, choosing to play a hollow-body Gibson Byrdland guitar for the bulk of the songs, including his solo on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", when a solid-body electric guitar (such as a Fender Stratocaster or Gibson Les Paul) would have been more appropriate. There are also short features on the making of the film, the release of the album and the artwork and concert photography. Along with the extensive collection of still photos for the album package, stills photographer Barry Feinstein reveals that the photo used on the cover of Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol. II was taken by him during the concert. Album release Bangladesh2005.jpgthumbrightCover of the 2005 re-mastered release of The Concert for Bangladesh album. An album of the concerts was released as a triple-LP box set (later a 2-CD set), produced by Harrison and Phil Spector, and recorded by Gary Kellgren. This record was Dylan's first official live release.

While the LP was issued on Apple Records (distributed by Capitol Records in the US and EMI worldwide), tape distribution (cassette and 8-track cartridge) was given to Columbia Records, Bob Dylan's label, in exchange for being allowed to include his set as part of the package. When the album was reissued on CD in 1992, Columbia (now owned by Sony Music) in turn reissued the cassette version. The two-CD set was re-released in 2001, and Harrison had been working on a remastered and expanded deluxe edition prior to his death. It was released in October 2005 by Apple and Rhino Entertainment along with the film on a special edition two-DVD set. Funds and controversy The concert raised US$243,418.50, which was given to UNICEF to administer. Sales of the DVDs and CDs of the concert continue to benefit the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF. However, there were complaints about the high price of the album and allegations that there were delays in money from the album sales being sent to help the Bangladesh refugees.

Allen Klein, then an executive at Apple Corps insisted the company made no money from the album or film and was only recovering its advertising and production costs. However New York magazine reported in 1972 that some of the proceeds remained unaccounted for. Klein denied it and sued the magazine for $150 million in damages., Time, April 17, 1972 (retrieved on December 12, 2006). According to a June 2, 1985 article in the Los Angeles Times, by 1985 nearly $12 million had been sent to Bangladesh for relief. However, the money was tied up in an Internal Revenue Service escrow account for 11 years because the concert organisers had not applied for tax-exempt status.Johnston, David. "Bangladesh: The Benefit That Almost Wasn't." Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1985, p.

R3 In a 1980 interview John Lennon (who did not participate in the concert) opined that benefits are "always rip-offs" and regarding the question where the money from the Bangladesh concert went, commented: "I can't even talk about it, because it's still a problem. You'll have to check with Mother , because she knows the ins and outs of it, I don't. But it's all a rip-off." (retrieved from John-Lennon.com on December 12, 2006) In popular culture The Concert for Bangladesh was satirized in two episodes of The Simpsons, "Like Father, Like Clown", and "I'm with Cupid". In the former, Krusty plays it while a visitor at the Simpsons household, and in the latter, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has in his record collection, the Concert Against Bangladesh, with a picture of a mushroom cloud on the cover, reflecting the popular perception of Hindu-Muslim rivalry in the region. In reality, India supported Bangladesh during its struggle for independence. Crowd noises from this film were put into Aerosmith's cover of "Train Kept A-Rollin'" by producer Jack Douglas.

References The Concert for Bangladesh (1972) Did You Know? Trivia: George Harrison later explained his reasons for turning Ravi Shankar 's original plan for a small concert into an all-star show: " The Beatles had been trained to the viewpoint that if you're going to do something, do it big, and why not make a million dollars?" See more » Goofs: Continuity: In between 'Blowin' in the Wind' and 'Just Like a Woman', Bob Dylan attaches his capo to the second fret of his guitar. George Harrison then leans over to speak to Leon Russell , but immediately in the next shot, Dylan's guitar is capoed on the fourth fret and George is back in his regular position. (This is most likely due to the deletion of another Dylan song, 'Mr. Tambourine Man', which was played with a capo on the 2nd fret and is included on the film's soundtrack album.) See more » Movie Connections: Flashback: George Harrison mounts 'The Concert For Bangladesh' | KSHE 95 News > Real Rock News > Flashback: George Harrison mounts 'The Concert For Bangladesh' Flashback: George Harrison mounts 'The Concert For Bangladesh' Aug.

01, 2016 Comments Share It was 45 years ago today (August 1st, 1971) that George Harrison and friends performed the legendary Concert For Bangladesh at New York City's Madison Square Garden. Harrison organized the shows at the urging of his mentor, sitar virtuoso Ravi Shankar, who asked Harrison to help raise and awareness for his native, famine stricken East Pakistan, by then renamed Bangladesh. Harrison sprang into action and rounded up a veritable who's who in the rock community, including fellow Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr, the semi-reclusive Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Badfinger, and well over a dozen horn players and singers. With the world's eyes on him, Harrison planned rock's first global fundraiser, as well as his debut as a solo performer. Harrison had actually asked his feuding ex-bandmates John Lennon and Paul McCartney to perform at the concert as well. According to several sources, McCartney initially agreed, but only if Lennon also performed, with the two playing separate solo sets.

McCartney, who was days away from announcing the formation of his solo band Wings, eventually backed out, stating that there were too many legal problems yet to be sorted out between him and former Beatles and their then manager Allen Klein for them to appear on the same stage. Lennon was reportedly all for appearing, until Harrison informed Lennon that only he, and not wife Yoko Ono, was invited to participate. After a long argument with Yoko about whether to perform, Lennon flew to Paris alone and in a rage, missing the entire show, and causing a major rift in Lennon and Harrison's relationship. Harrison never formally asked Ringo Starr to play; Starr took it upon himself to tell Harrison he'd be there. Harrison also reportedly turned down offers from Mick Jagger and David Crosby, who asked to appear. Due to overwhelming ticket demand, in the days before the show, a second afternoon performance was added. Although there was about a week of rehearsals that took place above Carnegie Hall, due to the various musicians' schedules, the benefit's afternoon performance was the first time that the entire ensemble actually played together.

Harrison's first wife Pattie Boyd says that no one expected the event to end up as the historic event it has become: "Well, of course we didn't know it was going to be the biggest concert in history. We knew it was going to be a very big concert, and he clearly hoped to raise a lot of money. And as far as I remember I think I flew in a couple of days before the show." Harrison wasn't sure until the last minute that Dylan would actually turn up for the show, and can even be seen in the movie of the concert peering into the wings to see if Dylan actually was there before introducing him. Although Eric Clapton was invited to be the show's lead guitarist, he was in such bad shape while dealing with his heroin addiction that Taj Mahal's Jesse Ed Davis was deputized to play and pick up whatever musical slack Clapton might leave behind. Boyd, who after her divorce from Harrison went on to marry Clapton, recalled that everyone was worried about his health at the time: "I remember that it was a pretty major, wonderful show, fantastic show.

But there was a bit of concern about Eric when he flew in because of the problems that he had at that time, and everyone was really concerned. And I think this sense of concern was everywhere, really." The show featured Harrison performing selections from his recent Number One album All Things Must Pass, including the chart topper "My Sweet Lord," as well as Beatles classics such as "Here Comes The Sun," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," and "Something." Starr took the lead on his recent Top Five Harrison-produced hit "It Don't Come Easy," and Dylan performed a set of his '60s classics including "Blowin' In The Wind," "Mr. Tambourine Man," and "Just Like A Woman," while backed by Harrison in slide guitar, Starr on tambourine and Leon Russell on bass. The late Billy Preston got an early ovation with his rousing performance of "That's The Way God Planned It." In 2005, Preston recalled the atmosphere among the musicians at the Bangladesh concerts: "Everybody was just excited and thrilled that it went so well. Everybody had a good time with each other.

There was no egos." On of the most lighthearted moments of the show was when introducing the band, Harrison nearly forgot to include Preston following his show-stopping performance: "Have we forgotten anybody? I don't know. We've forgotten Billy Preston!!! (applause)" Longtime Beatles confidante and solo session bassist Klaus Voormann says that he was never more proud of Harrison than when he took charge of The Concert For Bangladesh concert at the urging of friend Ravi Shankar: "I really appreciated in later days that he actually went in front of that audience on the Bangladesh concert, because he did it for his friends. That he actually went up there and talked to an audience. I think it must've been about the first time that he's ever done this.

Y'see, a few things in English, or a few things in German on a stage where it didn't matter is a big difference than to an audience where he knew it's going to be filmed and it's going to be used to talk to an audience." Apple Records staffer Chris O'Dell, who recently her memoirs, called Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days And Long Nights With The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton And The Women They Loved, admits that she and Pattie Boyd actually blew off the matinee performance: "Isn't that weird? Y'know when I went back over that and I was reading it after we wrote it, I thought -- 'that's weird, how come we didn't go?' Y'know? But as I think about it -- I don't know what it was -- I think we just wanted to hang out and get ready and take our time. The emphasis was on the evening show because there was a big party afterwards (laughs)." The Concert For Bangladesh three-record set peaked at Number Two on the Billboard charts, and went on to win the 1972 Grammy Award for Album Of The Year.

The revenues from the concert tickets, live album, movie, VHS, and now recent DVD sales have topped $15 million. The concerts, which were rock's first major charity benefits, paved the way for every benefit that followed. In 2006, Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison, appeared at Madison Square Garden on the anniversary of the concerts, when a plaque commemorating the event was placed on the venue's walk of fame. The album recently became available online via iTunes with the special bonus track addition of the single, "Bangla-Desh" -- which has only previously been available on vinyl. The single, backed with "Deep Blue," was originally rush-released on July 28th, 1971 -- only four days before the historic concerts -- went on to peak at Number 23 on the singles charts. Did you know? On August 1st, 1978 -- exactly seven years after the Bangladesh concerts -- George Harrison's soon-to-be second wife, Olivia Arias, gave birth to George's only child, musician Dhani Harrison.

Photo by Keystone/Getty Images Check it out: George Harrison performing “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” live at The Concert For Bangladesh George Harrison honoured on 35th anniversary of âConcert for Bangladeshâ © UNICEF video UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, Olivia Harrison and Jay Marciano, President of Madison Square Park Entertainment, with the George Harrison 'Walk of Fame' plaque. By Rachel Bonham Carter NEW YORK, USA, 1 August 2006 â Thirty-five years after George Harrisonâs âConcert for Bangladeshâ raised over $15 million for UNICEF, the late Beatle has been inducted into the Madison Square Garden âWalk of Fameâ. The concert was the first of its kind and is recognized as the inspiration behind more recent humanitarian fundraising ventures like âBand Aidâ and âLive Aidâ. âGeorge Harrison was a pioneer who understood the power of rock music to move people to embrace causes larger than themselves,â said UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman on the 35th anniversary of the concert.

She was speaking at the presentation of a plaque which commemorates the event where it happened, at Madison Square Garden. In 1971, the venue played host to an unprecedented group of musicians, pulled together by Harrison, including Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell and Ringo Starr. © UNICEF video A plaque commemorating George Harrison and the Concert for Bangladesh for the Madison Square Garden 'Walk of Fame' was presented to Olivia Harrison. In response to a call from Bengali musician Ravi Shankar, they helped raise the profile of the plight of children caught in political and military turmoil in Bangladesh, a crisis which worsened when devastating floods hit the region. Last autumn, Olivia Harrison, who received the plaque today, opened a fund in her late husbandâs name with an initial donation of $1 million. The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF specifically targets UNICEF programs in Bangladesh but also provides lifesaving assistance to children suffering from civil conflict, natural disasters and poverty elsewhere. Speaking at Madison Square Garden at midday, Ms.

Harrison said: âWhen people walk through this Walk of Fame and they come to the plaque for the âConcert for Bangladeshâ, I hope theyâre reminded how fortunate we are to be on the giving end of aid and not the receiving end of charity. And I think that one thought is motivation enough for us to continue to help others.â The launch of the fund coincided with the release of a DVD and CD of the âConcert for Bangladeshâ. Already more than 3 million copies have been sold and all artistsâ royalties from the DVD and CD continue to go to UNICEF. âTo date the US Fund and the George Harrison family have generated more than $1 million for children in need through sales of the CD and DVD,â said Jay Aldous, Vice President of Marketing, Communication and Corporate Partnership for the US Fund for UNICEF. âI look forward to collaborating in the future to generate even more funding for UNICEF programmes around the world.â

Question: Which musician, together with George Harrison, organised 'The Concert For Bangladesh' at Madison Square Garden in 1971?
Answer: RAVI SHANKAR